The most niche city I've visited this year. I hope it becomes popular, but not too popular.

This year, I visited Zhijiang in Western Hunan. Although I only stayed for two days, it left a deep impression on me and surprised me in many ways. If I had to describe Zhijiang in one word, it would be "smoky". It has the world's longest covered bridge, which is open to the public for free. People chat, cool off, walk their dogs, and stroll on the bridge, while merchants sell various goods. The river flowing under the bridge is called Wu River. On summer evenings, people take cold showers in the river, while children play on the banks. The city's tranquility and comfort are perfectly embodied here. 📜 Recommended attractions Zhijiang Longjin Covered Bridge: A historic wooden bridge, a landmark of Zhijiang, and one of the world's longest covered bridges. Zhijiang Confucian Temple: Free entry. You can see plaques from the Qing Dynasty. Suozixi Street: Stilted houses along Wu River. The narrow alleys are full of local life. When the lights come on in the evening, it feels like you're in the border town of Fenghuang. Wanhe Drum Tower: A Dong-style drum tower, perfect for taking photos in ethnic costumes. Tianhou Palace Stone Archway: Mazu Temple on Wu River. The original building was built during the Qianlong reign. Admission is 10 yuan. 🍽️ Recommended food Zhijiang Duck: A local specialty. Recommended restaurants include Liao Ji Restaurant, Ga Xiao Huang, Erzhong Luan Qiba Qiba, and Dong Gu Lao Pao Radish. 📅 Two-day itinerary Day 1: High-speed rail from Changsha to Zhijiang → Covered Bridge → Erzhong Luan Qiba Qiba → Suozixi Street → Tianhou Palace → Liao Ji Restaurant Day 2: Zhijiang Confucian Temple → Wanhe Drum Tower → Japanese Surrender Memorial Hall → Ga Xiao Huang → Dong Gu Lao Pao Radish → Return to Changsha 🚆 Transportation guide High-speed rail: It is recommended to take the high-speed rail to Zhijiang Station. The county is small, so you can walk to nearby attractions. For farther attractions, you can rent a shared electric bike.